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Mating success and sexual selection in a pelagic copepod, T emora longicornis : Evidence from paternity analyses
Author(s) -
Sichlau Mie H.,
Nielsen Einar E.,
Thygesen Uffe H,
Kiørboe Thomas
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.1002/lno.10052
Subject(s) - biology , copepod , mating , offspring , mating system , sexual selection , population , selection (genetic algorithm) , zoology , ecology , mating preferences , reproduction , pelagic zone , mate choice , evolutionary biology , demography , genetics , crustacean , pregnancy , artificial intelligence , sociology , computer science
Knowledge about mating patterns is essential for understanding and explaining rates of reproduction and genetic potential of copepods populations. The aim of this study was to examine (1) the occurrence of multiple paternity in Temora longicornis , (2) the effect of multiple paternity (if present) on the females reproductive output, and (3) whether mating is random or some individuals have a higher than average chance of fertilizing or being fertilized (super individuals). We show that multiple paternity is common in this copepod species, that females benefit from multiple matings by increased offspring production, and that a relatively small fraction of the males and females in a population account for most of the offspring production. In both males and females, mating is nonrandom. Superior individuals with a higher than average matings success were identified both among females and among males.